Missouri and Maryland voters on Nov. 8 adopted ballot measures allowing adult-use marijuana, boosting the number of states where recreational weed is legal for those over 21.
Midterm voters in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota, meanwhile, rejected proposals to legalize recreational marijuana use by those 21-and-over, marking what is believed to be the first time such legalization measures were denied in statewide ballot referendums.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), adult use of marijuana is now legal in 19 states. There are 37 states with legal medical marijuana programs, the NCSL documents.
New Hampshire became the 19th state to legalize marijuana when lawmakers adopted a 2022 bill allowing cannabis use by adults. With the Nov. 8 ballot measure votes on the books, Maryland and Missouri become the 20th and 21st states to do so….